Shoe flexing device



SHOE FLEXING DEVICE Filed April 17, 1955 2 Sheets- Sheet l O i:- I I I I C I Q: 3

Patented July 28, 1936 eAr'r Fries 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in shoe flexing devices and has for its primary object to provide a machine for breaking in pairs of shoes, said machine embodying a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts through the medium of which the shoes may be subjected to substantially the same flexings and manipulations which occur when being worn on the feet.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a shoe flexing machine of the aforementioned character which is adapted for various sizes of shoes.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a shoe flexing device of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a shoe flexing device or machine construction in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View, taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail view in top plan of one of the forms or lasts.

Figure 4 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through one of the forms or lasts.

Figure 5 is a view in vertical transverse section through one of the forms or lasts, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a frame I having journaled transversely therein front and rear shafts 2 and 3, respectively. A chain and sprocket connection 4 couples the front shaft 2 to an electric motor (not shown) or other suitable source of power for actuation thereby. A chain and sprocket connection 5 couples the shafts 2 and 3 for operatic-n in unison. Pairs of eccentrics 6 and l are fixed on the shafts 2 and 3, respectively.

As best seen in Figure 2 of the drawings, the frame i has formed in opposite sides thereof slots 8. Mounted for adjustment in the slots 8 is a transverse rod 9 which is secured in adjusted position through the medium of wing nuts [0.

Mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the rod 9 are front and rear plates ll and I2, respectively, which rest on the eccentrics 6 and and are actuated thereby. The front plate is longitudinally split or slotted to accommodate the drive chain i, a guard l3 being provided on said plate I for said chain.

The shoes Hi to be broken in are placed in position with the heels thereof resting on the rearv end portion of the plate l2 and the ball portions thereof resting on the front plate H at a point adjacent the hinge rod 9, as illustrated to advantage 'in Figure 20f the drawings. The reference numeral l5 designates generally flexible and adjustable rubber lasts to be mounted in the shoes I l before said shoes are placed in the machine. The lasts |5 have formed in the rear portions thereof sockets l6 (see Figure 3) for the reception of upstanding shanks ll. Each last l5 includes a pair of complemental half sections l8 2 of rubber having a steel spring I9 embedded therein and exposed at the opposed inner Walls of said half sections, as seen in Figures 4 and 5. Complemental tapered half nuts 20 are welded on the steel springs I9 in the half sections I8 for 25 threadedly receiving a tapered adjusting screw 2|. The adjusting screw 2| is provided with a slot 22 for the reception of a screw driver or other suitable tool. The opposed Walls of the half sections grooves 23 which, in conjunction with each other, define a socket in which the adjusting screw 2| is operable. The half sections l8 are connected to each other for lateral adjustment in any suitable manner, as at 24.

The supporting structure or frame I includes an arch 25 and welded in the top portion thereof are nuts 26 (see Figure 2) in which pressure screws 21 are threadedly mounted, said pressure screws extending through the frame and being provided, on their upper ends, with operating wheels 28. Metallic casings 29 are also fixed, as by welding, in the top portion of the frame and depend therefrom, said casings enclosing the nuts 26. Swivelly mounted on the lower ends of the pressure screws 21 are socketed heads 30 which are operable in the casings 29. Pistons 3| are also slidably mounted in the casings 29, said pistons having substantially convex lower ends engageable in the substantially concave upper ends of the shanks ll. Coil springs 32 are interposed between the heads 39 and the pistons 3|, said coil springs being fixed, as by welding, at their ends to the elements 30 and 3|.

It is believed that the operation of the machine l8 have formed therein complemental 30 will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. The shoes to be broken in, with the lasts l5 therein, are positioned on the plates II and I2, the pistons 3| are engaged with the shanks l1, and the desired pressure is then applied through the medium of the screws 21. The electric motor or other source of power is then started for driving the shafts 2 and 3 on which the eccentrics 6 and l are fixed, thus actuating the plates I l and I2 in a vertical plane for flexing the shoes in a manner closely simulating the treatment to which shoes are ordinarily subjected when walking.

It is believed that the many advantages of a shoe flexing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention will bereadily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe flexing machine comprising a frame, a rod mounted on the frame, plates journaled on the rod for swinging movement in the vertical plane and projecting in opposite directions from .said rod, means for actuating the plates, and

operable in the casings and engageable with the shanks, and resilient means operatively connecting the pistons to the pressure screws for actuation thereby.

2. A shoe flexing machine comprising a frame, a rod adjustably mounted on said frame, plates journaled for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the rod and extending in opposite directions therefrom, shafts journaled in the frame, eccentrics on the shafts engaged beneath the plates for actuating said plates, means for actuating the shafts in unison, and means for securing shoes in position on the plates.

3. A shoe flexing machine comprising a frame, a rod adjustably mounted on said frame, plates journaled for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the rod and extending in opposite directions therefrom, shafts journaled in the frame, eccentrics on the shafts engaged beneath the plates for actuating said plates, means for actuating the shafts in unison, and means for securing shoes in position on the plates, the last-named means including resilient lasts engageable in the shoes, shank rising from the lasts, nuts fixed on the frame, substantially tubular casings fixed on the frame and depending therefrom, said casings 

